An outsider wins the second major tournament of the year. Englishman Aaron Rai lands the coup at the PGA Championship in Aronimink, Pennsylvania, after a thrilling final round.
18.05.2026, 05:59
SDA
The 31-year-old Rai has so far been a professional golfer with a modest track record. He was ranked 44th in the world before the last long weekend and had just one win to his name on the PGA Tour. In August last year, he won the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro, North Carolina. His previous best result at major level was 19th place, achieved at the US Open the season before last. This year's disappointing results could be explained by a neck injury, among other things, which caused Rai problems at the beginning.
This Sunday, however, was Rai's big day. He played a round of 65, five under par. In addition to three bogeys, he had six birdies and an eagle on his scorecard. He secured his unexpected triumph with a birdie on the 17th hole thanks to an outstanding putt from over 20 meters.
"I've had a frustrating season so far. That's why this result clearly exceeds my modest expectations, of course," said the overwhelmed Rai after completing a historic achievement for his home country. He was only the second Englishman to win the PGA Championship - and the first in no less than 107 years. Back then, Jim Barnes, who had emigrated to the USA, had won the tournament for a second time after his success at the premiere three years earlier.
With an overall score of nine under par, Rai won by three strokes ahead of Spain's Jon Rahm, the winner of the 2021 US Open and the 2023 Masters, and Alex Smalley. The American, also an outsider, had started the final round as the leader with a two-shot lead.
Rory McIlroy, who won the Masters for the second time in a row in April, finished in 7th place, five shots behind. The Northern Irishman, the world number 2, finished the tournament with a round of 69 with two birdies and a bogey, missing several opportunities to improve his ranking.
Matti Schmid was also on his way to a surprise. The German temporarily led the rankings on Sunday, but ruined his good starting position with a bogey on the 15th hole and found himself in 4th place in the final rankings.
